2020 -- H 7418

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LC004310

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE THOMAS F.

FAY

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, McLaughlin, Costantino, Craven, and
McEntee

     Date Introduced: February 04, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House of Representatives has learned of the

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passing of the Honorable Thomas F. Fay, former Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice. He

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was the devoted husband of Paulette Fay for fifty-four years, and loving father of Kelly Ann Fay,

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Thomas Fay, Esq., and his wife, Melissa, and the very proud grandfather of Leah Pepin Fay, John

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Silvia, Jr., and Madison Silvia; and

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     WHEREAS, Born in Lincoln, Thomas Fay was a son of the late Joseph and Ethel Fay,

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and the brother of Patricia Jarbeau and the late Joseph Fay, Jr. He grew up in Lincoln's

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Saylesville Highlands neighborhood and was a graduate of Central Falls High School, where he

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was an outstanding baseball player, often pitching no hitters. Continuing his education, he earned

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his Bachelor's degree from Providence College, where he studied biology, and his Juris Doctor

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from Boston University Law School; and

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     WHEREAS, Upon passing the Rhode Island Bar, Mr. Fay started his legal career with

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Oster Espo Fay & Groff. In 1968, he was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives

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from District 72, where he was named Chair of the House Judiciary Committee; and

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     WHEREAS, In 1976, Mr. Fay was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island

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Family Court, where he championed many innovative improvements in the juvenile justice

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system including a training manual and film to assist lawyers in child advocacy. In 1986, he was

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named Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, serving in that capacity until 1995; and

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     WHEREAS, Upon leaving the bench, Mr. Fay became involved with myriad altruistic

 

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endeavors serving the community. He was a consultant to numerous profit and not-for-profit

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entities throughout Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Thomas Fay possessed a caring and compassionate demeanor and was

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widely respected by many in the legal community. He was blessed with the love of his family

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and friends, and he will be profoundly missed by those who had the good fortune to be a part of

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his vital and fulfilling life; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby expresses its deepest sympathies on the passing of the Honorable

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Thomas F. Fay. He will forever be remembered for his service to the people of Rhode Island in

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both the Courts and the General Assembly; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Paulette Fay and Family.

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LC004310

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